Stereotype plate casting mechanism



Aug. 24, 1937. F. A. FOSTER STEREOTYPE PLATE CASTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20 1955 M, Adv 53M.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Frank A. Foster, Maywood, Ill., assignor to The Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application February 20, 1935, Serial No. 7,346

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to stereotype casting machines and more particularly to novel improvements in the molten metal reservoir of a stereotype casting machine. I

5 Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumcntalities and combinations pointed out in, the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, construction, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

- Of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, certain. parts being shown as broken away;

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view of a part of the molten metal reservoir; and

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved stereotype plate casting molten metal reservoir. Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved means for controlling the flow of metal from the reservoir to the plate. casting chamber in a stereotype casting machine.

The present embodiment of the invention is shown in connection with a stereotype plate casting machine of the type. shown and described in the patent to myself and Charles H. Armstrong, No. 1,957,543 dated May 8, 1934, although the. invention may be employed in connection with many other types and forms of stereotype casting machines.

As shown in the prior patent referred to, the stereotype casting machine comprises. a stereotype 45 casting chamber in within which is received a stereotype matrix surrounding a cylindrical core II, the chamber and core being mounted upon a reciprocable bed I2 which is movable to and fro along the bed rails l3 by rotation of the hand 50 wheel I4. Attached to one end of the core II is a screw 16 supported in guides 11 within which the screw [6 and core ll may be moved axially I of chamber ID by rotation of gear I 8. A reservoir for molten metal is provided and comprises a 55 semi-spherical pct 20 supported on and within a casing 2|. Pot 20 is formedwith a neck 22 leading to a tapered throat 23 which is positioned in alinement with core I I, so that molten. stereotype metal may be supplied from the reservoir to the casting chamber.

Throat 23 is formedwith an internally tapered bore and in accordance with the present invention, this throat is closed by means of a tapered plug-like member formed of resilient laminated material, such as thin spring steel and the individual laminations are sufficiently resilient so that the obstruction of one or more of them will not prevent proper seating of the remainder of them against the tapered inner face of the bore. As embodied, there is provided a threaded pin 25, having a relatively large flanged head 26, positioned centrally of and axially alined with the tapered bore of throat 23, flanged head 26 being only slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the bore. Assembled on pin 25 are a plurality of resilient, circular discs 21, all of these discs being ofsimilar shape and differing only slightly from each other in size; the smallest disc being positioned closest to the mouth of the bore, and the other discs being successively larger. Discs 21 are spaced apart from each other by smaller discs 28, also mounted on the pin 25, and the tapered assembly of discs 21 and 28 are firmly held in assembled relation by means of washer 29 and nut 30. Discs 21 are preferably slightly dished and are positioned with their convex side towards the mouth of the bore.

Means are provided for guiding the discs 21 into closing position and for this purpose a plurality of narrow guiding members 32 are mounted on the Washer 29 and extend rearwardly therefrom. These guide strips are preferably resilient, and are shaped to conform generally to the internal taper of throat 23.

Means are provided for moving the assembled discs 21 into and out of closing position within the throat 23 and for this purpose a bell crank or handle is pivotally mounted in a bracket 4| on top of the molten metal reservoir. Handle 40 is connected with a lever 42, pivotally mounted in brackets 43, by means of a link 44, and lever 42 is, in turn, connected with pin 25 by means of links 46 which are pivotally connected to pin 25 by means of pivot bolt 48. Connected with the pivot pin between lever 42 and link 44 is a cable 50 running over pulley 5| which is rotatably supported on and above the molten metal reservoir. At the other cable 50 are suspended relatively heavy Weights 53 which force the discs 21 tightly against the walls of the tapered bore.

When the operator desires to cast a plate, the casting chamber 10, core II and bed l2 are moved to the left (Fig. 1) until the core II is tightly seated Within the beveled mouth of throat 23. The operator then pulls down on handle withdrawing the discs 21 from their tightly seated position within the bore of throat 23. Metal then flows from the molten metal reservoir through throat 23 into the casting chamber i0 until the casting chamber has been filled with metal. The operator may then release handle 48 causing the weights 53 to move the discs 2'! towards core ll until the discs are all tightly seated against the internally tapered bore of throat 23.

Due to the relatively large number of discs 21 employed and to the spacing. of these discs, a complete closure of the throat is always insured. The obstruction of one or more of the discs so as to prevent its proper seating of that disc does not permit passage of molten metal past the other discs. The pressure of the molten metal against the convex sides of the discs tends to force them outwardly and into tight contact with the bore. Furthermore, repeated heating and cooling of the stereotype metal within the molten metal reservoir does not result either in leakage of the metal or in binding of the discs within the bore of throat 23, as the relatively thin resilient discs find their own seating regardless of the changing shape of the throat with temperature, and the discs can never be held so tightly but that they can be easily dislodged by movement of the handle 40. p

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advan- 40 tages.

cular bore, and a closure in said bore comprising a plurality of thin, resilient metal discs of similar shape spaced from each other and in alinement, corresponding in size and shape to the bore of said throat, means for moving said discs to open and close said throat and resilient guide strips shaped to fit said bore, secured to said discs and extending therefrom into the molten metal.

2. In a stereotype casting machine, a throat for supplying metal from a reservoir to a plate casting chamber, said throat having an internally tapered, circular bore, and a closure in said bore comprising a pin extending axially of said bore and movable therein, a plurality of discs mounted in spaced-apart, alined relation on said pin, all of said discs being of a size and shape to fit snugly against said bore, and each of said discs being slightly dished.

3. In a stereotype casting machine a throat for supplying metal from a reservoir to a plate casting chamber, said throat having an internally tapered, circular bore, and a closure in said bore comprising a pin extending axially of said bore and movable therein, a plurality of dished discs mounted in spaced-apart, alined relation on said pin, all of said discs being of a. size and shape to fit snugly against said bore and being assembled on said pin to form a tapered, laminated plug for said throat, and means for moving said assembled discs axially of said bore to open and close the throat.

4. In a stereotype casting machine, a throat for supplying metal from a. reservoir to a plate casting chamber, said throat having an internally tapered bore, a disc-like closure near the exterior end of said throat and means for moving said closure to open and close the throat, including a rod-like member extending backwardly through the throat and leaving the greater part of the throat occupied by the molten metal,

in the reservoir.

FRANK A. FOSTER. 

